Agriculture is the Soul of Indian Economy, and Farmers are Its Lifeblood: Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan

On July 16, 2024 Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, inaugurated the exhibition held on the occasion of the 96^th ICAR Foundation and Technology Day celebrations. Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying Rajiv Ranjan Singh and Union Ministers of States for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Bhagirath Choudhary, Ram Nath Thakur, Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying and Ministry of Minority Affairs George Kurian and Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry &Dairying and Ministry of Panchayati Raj Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel also graced the event.

Addressing the gathering, Shivraj Singh Chouhan congratulated ICAR on their remarkable achievements over the past 96 years. “There are a number of marginal farmers in our country. There is a need to create model farms for small-holding farmers. Agriculture is the backbone & soul of Indian economy, and farmers are its lifeblood. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set a target of doubling the income of farmers. Farmers and farming are the top priority of the Prime Minister. If agriculture is diversified, it is possible to increase the income of farmers in farming. Today we are working with this resolution,” said Chouhan.

Chauhan told the scientists that we should set targets for 4 years and after 4 years we should say that we have achieved these targets. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has resolved to make India develop by 2047, in which agriculture and agriculture-related sectors will play an important role. Work has to be done to increase production in animal husbandry, fish farming, wheat production, pulses, and oilseeds.

“The relationship between farmers and Krishi Vigyan Kendra is amazing. It is the responsibility of the Krishi Vigyan Kendra to effectively take the research to the farmer's fields. Agricultural diversification is yielding impressive results, with farmers' incomes on the rise. The Indian Agricultural Research Institute has 5,500 scientists. Forming teams of two scientists each and sending them to the Krishi Vigyan Kendra will benefit farmers, increase production, and help reduce costs through technology,” he added.

Shivraj Singh Chauhan emphasized that ICAR has given 6 thousand varieties. How many of these varieties have reached the 'land from the lab.' We have to work on how much the farmer and the scientist are connected. Unless science is used practically, the farmer will not benefit. It has to be analyzed how much the farmer and the Krishi Vigyan Kendra are connected. Shri Chauhan said that there are 731 Krishi Vigyan Kendras in the country, send 2 scientists each to one center and they should study there and research will also be done there, only then we can benefit the farmers. 

Today we should take a pledge that we will make India self-reliant in pulses and oilseeds also, the government will give full support for this. Samridhi Portal has been created for pulses. An awareness campaign has to be run for farmers. All scientists should go to the fields for one month in a year and teach the farmers. How should all agricultural universities work for the farmers. Agricultural universities, scientists and fields should be connected together. It is important to increase production but it is also important to pay attention to what effect it will have on the human body. Do research on natural farming as well. The Prime Minister has also expressed concern on how to increase the production of Shri Anna. Work on how to increase the production of Shri Anna. Also, focus on developing indigenous breeds of horses and dogs among animals. There is also a need to work on how to connect it with technology. There is also a need to work in view of climate change.

अन्न के उत्पादन में तो हमने प्रगति की ही है। साथ ही पशुपालन, डेयरी और मत्स्य पालन के क्षेत्र में भी अभूतपूर्व कार्य हुआ है।

- माननीय श्री @ChouhanShivraj जी#ICARfoundationday pic.twitter.com/zsryura64n
— Office of Shivraj (@OfficeofSSC) July 16, 2024